Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Novel Diagnostics in Revision Arthroplasty: Implant Sonication and Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
Published on: December 3, 2017
Microbial isolates in early swabs of open musculoskeletal injuries
A L Akinyoola1, A K Ako-Nai, O Dosumu
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Background:
Infections of open musculoskeletal injuries, especially open fractures, continue to pose a challenge to the Orthopaedic and Trauma surgeons. There is a dearth of information on the early bacterial contaminants of these open wounds and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns in our environment.
Objective:
To determine the bacteriology of open wounds of the musculoskeletal system at initial presentation in hospital and their antibiotic susceptibility profile in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Materials And Methods:
A prospective study of 86 consecutive patients over an eight-month period (March to October 2002). Eighty-six patients with 96 open wounds of the musculoskeletal system admitted to the Accident and Emergency unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife. Bacteria were isolated from swabs taken from the depth of the wounds and their antibiotic susceptibility determined.
Results:
A total of 126 bacterial isolates were recovered from 96 wounds in 86 patients (61 males and 25 females) with mean age of 31.4 years +/- SD. About 73.3% of the wounds were from road traffic accidents and 72.3% of the wounds were severe open fractures (Grades IIIA to C). Staphylococcus aureus constituted 22.2% while coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS) accounted for 21.4% with Staphylococcus. epidermidis leading the group with 13.5%. Gram negative rods constituted 40.5% of the isolates with Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounting for 11.1%. Antibiotic sensitivity profile revealed that many of the isolates were multiply resistant to the antimicrobials employed but were sensitive to Ofloxacin.
Conclusion:
This study has shown that open wounds of the musculoskeletal system are usually contaminated at presentation with pathogenic organisms. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolates shows that the quinolones, represented by Ofloxacin, is the most effective antibiotic.
Insights
Open musculoskeletal wounds are often contaminated with bacteria, posing a challenge for surgeons. Ofloxacin showed effectiveness against these resistant organisms, offering a potential treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Open musculoskeletal injuries, particularly open fractures, present significant infection risks.
- Limited data exists on early bacterial contaminants and antibiotic sensitivities in these wounds within the local context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bacteriology of open musculoskeletal wounds upon hospital admission.
- To determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of isolated bacteria in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 86 patients with 96 open musculoskeletal wounds over eight months.
- Bacterial isolation from wound depth swabs.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing performed on recovered isolates.
Main Results:
- 126 bacterial isolates identified from 96 wounds.
- Staphylococcus aureus (22.2%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (21.4%) were common Gram-positive isolates.
- Gram-negative rods (40.5%) included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.1%).
- Many isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance, but sensitivity to Ofloxacin was observed.
Conclusions:
- Open musculoskeletal wounds are frequently contaminated with pathogenic bacteria at presentation.
- Quinolones, specifically Ofloxacin, demonstrated the highest efficacy against the identified bacterial isolates.
